Contents: Man's quest for understanding the puzzles of his environment -- Scientific method -- Key concepts -- The Nature of social research and the necessity for training in research methodology in the social sciences -- Scientific experimentation-controlled observation -- Data collection techniques for social science research -- Participant observation as a method of data collection in the field -- Records and record-keeping -- Methods of controlled observation and collection of social data -- Techniques of social surveys -- The Questionnair: design, construction and administration -- The Interview and interviewing -- Fieldwork organisation -- Fieldwork preparations -- The Field situation - The Actual enumeration -- Field organization -- Some lessons from a rural social survey -- The Research proposal -- Conclusion -- Appendix A: The Enumerator / interviewer and his/her role in a social survey -- Appendix B: Purpose of the present survey -- Appendix C -- Appendix D: Department of sociology, University of Ghana, Legon survey of selected low income areas in Accra.